WSCC COVID-19 Health Safety Guidelines

COVID-19 WSCC Health and Safety Guidelines Wallace State’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines, outlined in this document, align with the Alabama Department of Public Health, The White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations to the greatest extent possible. This is a working document and will be updated to reflect changes in directives and introduce new recommended practices as they become available.

The first step in any prevention protocol is being aware of how a particular disease—in this case the Covid-19 virus—is spread. Thus, to begin with a refresher, it is spread through respiratory droplets from an infected individual who may or may not be symptomatic. You should assume that everyone has it. Respiratory droplets are released into the air and can wind up on any surface that is conducive to bacteria growth.

These Guidelines provide general recommendations for use in all WSCC facilities.

Because there may be circumstances unique to a location, there may be some cases in which a department or facility must adapt these recommendations to address that location’s specific requirements. Such exceptions must be authorized by your administrator.

The Guidelines protect the College community through: 1. Frequently cleaning and disinfecting of common surfaces 2. Personal hygiene (handwashing, covering coughs, etc.)

3. Use of masks 4. Social distancing 5. Monitoring temperatures and symptoms 6. Staying home when sick or immediately exposed 7. Limiting non-essential access to facilities 8. Signage

These efforts are the responsibility of EVERYONE.

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Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of common surfaces

Campus will be deep-cleaned and disinfected, as necessary, prior to reopening.

Employees and students should also take personal responsibility for frequent self-cleaning of areas in their departments after use, including offices, classrooms, labs, and common spaces with special attention to: • Common surface areas • Door handles • Restrooms (see personal hygiene section below) • Computer screens and keyboards • Tools • Desks and armrests • Other workstations and equipment Facilities will be equipped with Clorox or similar wipes and other general-use cleaning supplies.

If you need additional supplies, please contact the Physical Plant Department.

Handwashing and personal hygiene

While on campus, employees, students and visitors will be encouraged to make use of personal hygiene best practices, including the use of hand sanitizer (stationed across campus), and proper handwashing techniques. Please adhere to the following: • Do not touch an entry door handle with exposed finger(s) or hand. When opening doors, try to do so without touching the handle or doorknob. Many people use a paper towel, especially when entering restrooms and this is good idea for any facility.

Immediately discard the paper towel after use in the nearest trash can. Try using your sleeve if you don’t have a paper towel.

• Consider propping open bathroom/interior doors to limit door handle touching.

• As a general principle, avoid touching your face with your hands, especially until you have had a chance to wash your hands.

• Wear a mask (see section on masks on p.5).

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or elbow.

• WASH YOUR HANDS—WITH SOAP FROM A DISPENSER, following these guidelines: 1. The CDC recommends washing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Refer to the following diagram for the proper procedure.

3 COVID-19 WSCC Health and Safety Guidelines 2. Some bathrooms have an air dryer. The CDC has not issued recommendations on the use of air dryers. We suggest that you avoid these if possible. If you have a choice, use a paper towel.

3. If handwashing is not an option, use hand sanitizer. This needs to be at least 60% alcohol to be effective.

4. If the paper towels are located in a roller dispenser, extend the paper towel before handwashing with your elbow if possible. Retrieve a clean paper towel after a thorough handwashing. Use the paper towel to wipe hands. Use the same paper towel to turn off the faucet and exit the bathroom. Dispose of the used paper towel in a trash can.

5. Exit the restroom without touching door handles with your hands.

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Social Distancing

Social distancing is a simple yet very effective mechanism to prevent the spread of disease, relying on physical distance to avoid infection. In practice this means: • Stay 6 feet away from others as a normal practice, even among co-workers and visitors to your office, and when waiting in lines. Physically distance desks and chairs.

• Avoid non-essential gatherings.

• Avoid gathering when entering and exiting facilities. Remain in your car until lines at a building’s entrance have cleared.

• No more than 10 persons at any class, meeting, or gathering (depending on the space, fewer may be required in order to maintain social distancing). Times for classes may need to be staggered, and larger groups divided to meet the 10-person maximum.

• Eliminate contact with others, such as handshakes or embracing coworkers, visitors or friends.

• Avoid touching surfaces touched by others to the extent feasible.

• Avoid anyone who is coughing, sneezing or appears to be sick.

• Remote work when feasible and/or directed/approved by supervisor.

• Zoom, Blackboard Collaborate, Office Teams, and similar virtual meetings are encouraged.

• College-related travel restrictions remain in place until further notice.

The College will have barriers around the Lion Central desk in the Bailey Center on the main campus and at the Oneonta campus reception desk due to high traffic and opportunity for exposure at these initial point of contact locations. Only one of the main entrances to the Bailey Center may be unlocked at any given time, and a Campus Police officer will be stationed in the Lobby during regular business hours. In other areas, seating will be intentionally spaced to provide for appropriate distancing. Some areas may also be marked by tape or signage.

Use of Masks

Every employee and student will be issued a mask upon their return to campus and will be expected to use it when in the company of others. All students enrolled in classes on campus during Summer and Fall 2020 will also be issued a mask. Face masks are required to be worn anytime you are in a public area of a building, and/or within 6 feet of another person.

5 COVID-19 WSCC Health and Safety Guidelines Exceptions to this policy would include if you are by yourself in your office, walking alone, etc.

Please note college-issued masks are washable and reusable. The first mask issued is free of charge. Replacements will cost $5 each. Personal face masks and face coverings may be used in lieu of a Wallace State-supplied mask.

Monitoring temperatures and symptoms

No-touch thermometers will be made available for measuring student/visitor/employee temperatures upon entry to classrooms, labs or offices. Employees should use the attached Daily Self-Monitoring Form for themselves prior to leaving home, and for documenting student/visitor temperatures and symptoms in their classes/department. If an individual has a fever of 100.4F or above or is otherwise symptomatic (see list of COVID-19 symptoms outlined below and included on the form), send the individual directly home, directing them to limit their exposure to any other area as they exit campus. If possible, determine where the person has been on campus, and who he/she has been in contact with on campus, so that we can address that, as necessary. Contact your supervisor immediately and submit the form as documentation.

COVID-19 Symptoms: People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. According to the CDC, people with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19: • Fever • Cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Other symptoms may include: • Chills • Repeated shaking with chills • Muscle pain • Headache • Sore throat • New loss of taste or smell NOTE the following expectations: • If you have received a positive COVID-19 test result, do not come to campus and selfquarantine for 14 days.

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If you have been directly exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, do not come to campus and self-quarantine for 14 days.

If you or someone in your household is running a fever of 100.4F or more, or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (see above), do not come to campus, and let your instructor/supervisor know.

Temperatures will be checked for students and visitors.

Employees should self-monitor temperatures and symptoms.

The ACCS Sick Leave Policy as it relates to COVID-19 is attached. As sick leave is not required for most COVID-19-related absences, working from home is expected to continue when possible.

Contact HR or your instructor prior to returning to campus to confirm you have met the quarantine time constraints and to discuss documentation that may be required before you return to college premises.

Additional Self-Quarantine Guidance • Stay away from other people in your home as much as possible, staying in a separate room and using a separate bathroom, if available.

• Do not allow any visitors unless the person needs to be in your home.

• If you need medical attention, call ahead to ensure you’re going to the right place and taking the necessary precautions.

• Wear a face mask if you must be around other people, such as during a drive to the doctor’s office.

• When you cough/sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or with your elbow; immediately throw tissues in garbage; wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and if that’s not available, clean with a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid sharing household items, including drinking cups, eating utensils, towels or bedding.

Wash these items thoroughly after using.

• Clean high-touch surfaces daily using a household cleaner or wipe. According to the CDC, these include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and bedside tables.

• Clean surfaces that may be contaminated with blood, stool or bodily fluids.

• Use an air conditioner or open window to provide good airflow in shared spaces.

• Continue monitoring for any symptoms. If they worsen, such as if you begin to have difficulty breathing, call your health care provider.

• Arrange to have groceries, toiletries, and medications delivered if possible.

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Limiting non-essential access to facilities

Until the college resumes normal operations, some buildings will remain locked in order to limit traffic and contact.

Access to facilities during evening cleaning will be strictly limited to the following: • Cleaning personnel • Campus Police • Emergency Response Team members, as needed Employees needing access to locked facilities should let their supervisor know they are on campus and contact Campus Police for entry (256.735.9975). To help police in securing buildings, please also let them know when you have exited the building.

Signage

Coronavirus disease prevention and CDC-related signage has already been placed across campus. (Available for download at www.wallacestate.edu/coronavirus.) Additional signage will be placed at the entrance to buildings, at elevators, and in common areas noting social distancing, safety, and reduced capacity protocols, as applicable. Departments will also post in-person and virtual office hours and contact information.

It is very important that ALL WSCC employees understand these health and safety requirements, protocols and expectations to ensure everyone in our college community stays safe and prevents the spread of COVID-19. If you have questions, please ask your supervisor.

COVID-19 WSCC Employee Self-Screening & Student/Visitor Reporting Form The safety of our employees, students, and visitors, remains Wallace State’s primary concern. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, the College is monitoring the situation closely and will periodically update guidance on current recommendations from the ACCS, Alabama Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control, White House, and the World Health Organization.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the potential risk of exposure to our campus community we are conducting a simple screening questionnaire. Your participation is important to help us take precautionary measures to protect you and everyone we serve.

Thank you for your time and cooperation.

I am a:

WSCC Student

Visitor

Contact Information:

Company (if applicable):

E-mail Address:

Mobile Phone #:

If the answer is yes to one or more of the following questions, access to the campus will be denied. Students should contact their instructor. Employees should contact their supervisor.

Are you showing any signs the following symptoms?

One or more of these: Temperature of 100.4 ÂşF or higher, cough, shortness of breath and/or Two or more of these: Chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell Yes

No

Have you been exposed to someone with COVID-19 positive test results?

Yes

No

Is the information you provided on this form true and correct to the best of your knowledge?

Yes